U.S. patent number 4,848,031 [Application Number 07/251,178] was granted by the patent office on 1989-07-18 for door control device.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Hiromitsu Nishikawa, Jun Yamagishi, Toshio Yokoo.
United States Patent |
4,848,031 |
Yamagishi , et al. |
July 18, 1989 |
Door control device
Abstract
A door control device is disclosed, which comprises a full
closing lock device mounted to the door and latchingly restraining
the door to the vehicle body when the door is pivoted to its fully
closed position; a lock cancelling operation switch mounted on the
door at a position to be manipulatable from the outside of the
vehicle body; a full closing lock cancelling device mounted on the
door and cancelling a locked condition of the full closing lock
device upon operation of the lock cancelling operation switch; a
door driving device arranged between the door and the vehicle body,
the door driving device driving the door to a predetermined
half-open position upon cancellation of the locked condition of the
full closing lock device; a half opening lock device mounted on the
door and latchingly restraining the door to the vehicle body when
the door is pivoted to the half-open position; and a half opening
lock cancelling device mounted on the door for cancelling a locked
condition of the half opening lock device.
Inventors: |
Yamagishi; Jun (Yokohama,
JP), Nishikawa; Hiromitsu (Yokohama, JP),
Yokoo; Toshio (Atsugi, JP) |
Assignee: |
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
(Yokohama, JP)
Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd. (Yokohama, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
17265090 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/251,178 |
Filed: |
September 30, 1988 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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Oct 8, 1987 [JP] |
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62-254444 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
49/280; 49/356;
49/394; 49/324; 49/358; 292/DIG.72 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B
81/20 (20130101); E05B 17/0033 (20130101); E05B
85/243 (20130101); E05C 17/003 (20130101); E05C
17/203 (20130101); Y10S 292/72 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E05B
65/12 (20060101); E05B 17/00 (20060101); E05C
17/20 (20060101); E05C 17/00 (20060101); E05B
65/32 (20060101); E05F 015/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;49/394,356,357,324,280,358 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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58-178779 |
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Oct 1983 |
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JP |
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62-101782 |
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May 1987 |
|
JP |
|
Primary Examiner: Kannan; Philip C.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Foley & Lardner, Schwartz,
Jeffery, Schwaab, Mack, Blumenthal & Evans
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A door control device for controlling the movement of a door
relative to a vehicle body, said door control device
comprising:
a full closing lock device mounted to the door and latchingly
restraining said door to said vehicle body when said door is
pivoted to its fully closed position;
a lock cancelling operation switch mounted on said door at a
position to be manipulatable from the outside of the vehicle
body;
a full closing lock cancelling device mounted on said door and
cancelling a locked condition of said full closing lock device upon
operation of said lock cancelling operation switch;
a door driving device arranged between said door and said vehicle
body, said door driving device driving said door to a predetermined
half-open position upon cancellation of the locked condition of
said full closing lock device;
a half opening lock device mounted on said door and latchingly
restraining said door to said vehicle body when said door is
pivoted to said half-open position; and
a half opening lock cancelling device mounted on said door for
cancelling a locked condition of said half opening lock device.
2. A door control device as claimed in claim 1, in which said door
driving device comprises:
an electric motor mounted on said door;
a sector gear pivotally mounted on said door and pivotally driven
by said electric motor; and
a push rod having one end portion pivotally connected to said
vehicle body and the other end portion engageable with a portion of
said sector gear.
3. A door control device as claimed in claim 2, in which said
sector gear is integrally formed with a push piece and said push
rod is formed at the other end portion thereof with an elongate
opening, said push piece being projected into said elongate
opening.
4. A door control device as claimed in claim 3, in which said door
driving device further comprises a speed reduction gear which is
arranged between said electric motor and said sector gear for
reducing the speed of movement of said sector gear as compared with
that of the electric motor.
5. A door control device as claimed in claim 4, in which said
electric motor is of a reversable type.
6. A door control device as claimed in claim 5, in which said push
rod is axially movably held by a holding device which is mounted on
said door.
7. A door control device as claimed in claim 1, in which said door
driving device comprises a biasing spring which extends between
said door and said vehicle body to bias said body to open relative
to said vehicle body.
8. A door control device as claimed in claim 1, in which said half
opening lock cancelling device is mounted to an edge portion of
said door, said edge portion being fully concealed by said door and
said vehicle body when said door assumes its fully closed position,
but exposed to the outside of said vehicle body when said door
assumes the half-open position.
9. A door control device as claimed in claim 8, in which said half
opening lock cancelling device comprises an operation handle which
is pivotally connected to said edge portion of said door and a
plurality of linked rods through which said operation handle is
connected to said half opening lock device, said operation handle
having a grip portion which is projected outward from said edge
portion of said door to be manipulatable from the outside.
10. A door control device as claimed in claim 9, in which said half
opening lock cancelling device further comprises a control switch
mounted to said door and an electric actuator mounted to said door,
said actuator cancelling the locked condition of said half opening
lock device upon manipulation of said control switch.
11. A door control device as claimed in claim 10, in which said
half opening lock device comprises:
a latching rod slidably held by said door, said latching rod having
a tapered end which is projectable into the outside;
a spring incorporated with said latching rod to bias said latching
rod outwardly; and
an engaging plate secured to said vehicle body, said engaging plate
having an engaging bore into which said tapered end of said
latching rod is insertable to achieve latching of said door
relative to said vehicle body.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to a door control device
for use in a motor vehicle, and more particularly to a door control
device which, upon requirement, can automatically open the door to
a slight open position and thereafter allow the same to be opened
further by manual labor.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Hitherto, for facilitation of door manipulation, various automatic
door control devices have been proposed and put into practical use
particularly in the field of motor vehicles. One of them is
disclosed in Japanese Patent First Provisional Publication No.
58-178779, wherein by manipulating an outdoor or indoor switch,
cancellation of the door lock and the opening and closing of the
door are automatically carried out by drive means such as electric
motor or the like. The other device is disclosed in Japanese Patent
First Provisional Publication No. 62-101782, wherein by
manipulating an outdoor or indoor switch, cancellation of the door
lock is achieved by an electric motor.
However, due to the inherent constructions, the devices as
mentioned hereinabove have the following drawbacks.
That is, in the device of '779 publication, entire construction
thereof is bulky and heavy. Furthermore, due to employment of the
mechanism for carrying out both the automatic movement of the door
and the manual movement of the same the device becomes complicated
in construction.
In the device of '782 publication, when, with the motor vehicle
standing on an inclined ground, the lock cancellation is effected
carelessly, the door thus unlocked is suddenly opened to its
full-open position by its own weight. This tends to cause breakage
of the door and in a severe case wound on a person standing by the
vehicle. This dangerous sudden opening of the door is also caused
by a considerable wind blowing against the door unlocked. The
sudden door opening by the wind may occur also in the device of
'779 publication because the movement of the door includes a range
within which the door is swung by manual labor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a
door control device which is free of the above-mentioned
drawbacks.
According to the present invention, there is provided a door
control device which, upon requirement, can automatically open the
door to a predetermined slight open position and thereafter allow
the same to be opened further by manual labor.
According to the present invention, there is provided a door
control device for controlling the movement of a door relative to a
vehicle body, the door control device comprising a full closing
lock device mounted to the door and latchingly restraining the door
to the vehicle body when the door is pivoted to its fully closed
position; a lock cancelling operation switch mounted on the door at
a position to be manipulatable from the outside of the vehicle
body; a full closing lock cancelling device mounted on the door and
cancelling a locked condition of the full closing lock device upon
operation of the lock cancelling operation switch; a door driving
device arranged between the door and the vehicle body, the door
driving device driving the door to a predetermined half-open
position upon cancellation of the locked condition of the full
closing lock device; a half opening lock device mounted on the door
and latchingly restraining the door to the vehicle body when the
door is pivoted to the half-open position; and a half opening lock
cancelling device mounted on the door for cancelling a locked
condition of the half opening lock device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side view of a door control device of the present
invention, which is installed in an automotive door;
FIG. 2 is an illustration of a motor vehicle equipped with the door
of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the part indicated by the arrow "III"
of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a front view of a full closing lock device with some
parts removed;
FIG. 5 is a back view of the full closing lock device in a
full-latch condition;
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but showing a half-latch
condition of the full closing lock device;
FIG. 7 as a view also similar to FIG. 5, but showing an open or
free condition wherein a door is released therefrom;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional front view of a half opening lock
device, showing a condition wherein a door is fully closed;
FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, but showing an operative co
wherein the door is opened to a slight open position and
locked;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged horizontally sectional view of a rear end
portion of the door in its fully closed condition;
FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, but showing a condition
wherein the door assumes the slight open position; and
FIG. 12 is circuit diagram of a control device employed in the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the following, an embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Throughout the description, the terms regarding the direction in
which parts are oriented, such as "front", "forward", "upper",
"upward", "forward" and the like are to be understood with respect
to the closed condition of the door 2 as shown in FIG. 2.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a layout
of various parts arranged on an automotive door. That is,
designated by numeral 1 is a body of a motor vehicle, 2 is a door
having a front end hinted to the vehicle body 1, reference "A" is a
full closing lock device which, upon closing of the door 2, engages
with a part of the door 2 to latch the door in the fully closed
position, and reference "B" is a lock cancelling and latch driving
device which is located in the vicinity of the full closing lock
device "A". The device "B" is controlled by both a lock cancelling
operation switch "SW1" mounted on an outboard side of the door 2
and a half-latch detecting switch "SW3" (see FIG. 4) mounted in the
full closing lock device "A".
More specifically, the device "B" comprises a full closing lock
cancelling device "B-1" which, upon manipulation of the switch
"SW1", cancels a locked condition of the full closing lock device
"A", and a latch driving device "B-2" which forcedly drives an
after-mentioned latch 14 of the device "A" to its full-latch
position upon receiving from the half-latch, detecting switch SW3 a
door closed information signal which is issued when the latch 14 is
within a given range between its free position and its half-latch
position. Both devices "B-1" and "B-2" are driven by a single
reversable electric motor 26.
Designated by reference "C" is a door driving device whose most
parts are mounted in the door 2, but some parts of which are
incorporated with the vehicle body 1. That is, when the locked
condition of the full closing lock device "A" is cancelled, the
door driving device "C" drives the door 2 to a predetermined slight
open position (see FIG. 11) wherein a small clearance is defined
between the door 2 and the vehicle body 1. Preferably, the
clearance has such a size as to allow putting a human hand
thereinto.
Designated by reference "D" is a half opening lock device which is
installed in the door 2. When the door 2 is driven to the slight
open position, the half opening lock device "D" latches the door in
the the position by bringing a part thereof into latched engagement
with the vehicle body 1. Designated by reference "E" is an half
opening lock cancelling device which is installed in the door 2.
The lock cancelling device "E" functions to cancel a locked
condition of the half opening lock device "D"
Desingated by numeral 4 is an inside handle which is pivotally
mounted on an inboard side of the door 2. Although not shown in the
drawings, a return spring is connected to the inside handle 4 to
bias the same toward its rest position. The inside handle 4
functions to cancel the locked conditions of the full closing lock
device "A" and the half opening lock device "D".
Designated by numeral 5 is a locking and unlocking control device
which is installed in the door 2. The device 5 functions to
electrically control the locking and unlocking operation of the
full closing lock device "A". When a transmitter 6 issuing a given
electric wave is brought near the door 2 from the outside of the
vehicle, a receiver (not shown) installed in the door 2 catches the
electric wave. During the time for which the receiver is receiving
the wave, a manipulation of a locking and unlocking switch "SW2"
positioned near the lock cancelling operation switch "SW1" induces
locked or unlocked condition of the full closing lock device "A"
alternately. Furthermore, during the time, the condition of the
full closing lock device "A" can be switched by manipulating a
locking and unlocking switch and a control knob (both not shown)
installed in a vehicle cabin. When the locking and unlocking
control device 5 is in the locking condition, the lock cancelling
operation of the full closing lock device "A" by the locking
cancelling operation switch "SW1" is disabled, that is, the
electric motor 26 is suppressed from being energized. While, when
the device 5 turns to assume the unlocking condition, the lock
cancelling operation of the full closing lock device "A" becomes
permitted thereby making energization of the electric motor 26
possible.
In place of the above-mentioned transmitter 6, a known key-less
entry system may be employed. That is, in this system, the locking
and unlocking of the door is achieved at only the time when a
person handling the door is recognized as a proper person who is
permitted to use the vehicle. As the key-less entry system, a key
board system, a magnetic card system and an infrared ray generator
system have been hitherto put into practical use.
In the following, each part will be described in detail.
The full closing lock device "A" and the lock cancelling and latch
driving device "B" are substantially the same as those disclosed in
the afore-mentioned Japanese Publication No. 62-101782.
As is seen from FIGS. 3 to 7, the full closing lock device "A"
comprises a case 12 in which a forked-latch 14 is pivotally
installed through a shaft 15. Upon closing of the door, the latch
14 is brought into latching engagement with a striker 13 which is
secured to, for example, a pillar of the vehicle body 1.
The latch 14 can assume three specified positions which are an open
or free position as shown in FIG. 7 wherein the latch 14 completely
disengages the striker 13 and is thus ready for engagement with the
same, a full-latch position as shown in FIG. 5 wherein the latch 14
completely engages the striker 13, and a half-latch position as
shown in FIG. 6 wherein the latch 14 halfly engages the striker 13
at a position between the open and full-latch positions. Although
not shown in the drawings, a biasing spring is employed for biasing
the latch 14 in a counterclockwise direction in FIGS. 5 to 7.
Within the case 12, there is further installed a crescent-shaped
pawl 16 which is pivotally connected to the case through a shaft 17
which is parallel with the afore-mentioned shaft 15 of the latch
14. When the latch 14 is in the half-latch position or the
full-latch position, the pawl 16 engages a given portion of the
latch 14 thereby to suppress a further pivotal movement of the
latch 14 toward the open position. By the work of a spring 18 as
shown in FIG. 4, the pawl 16 is biased in a clockwise direction in
FIGS. 5 to 7 (that is, in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4).
Usually, the pawl 16 assume the position as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7.
However, when, against the force of the spring 18, the pawl 16 is
pivoted in a counterclockwise direction in FIGS. 5 to 7 (that is,
in an unlatching direction), the engagement with the latch 14
becomes cancelled thereby permitting the door to open freely.
The shaft 15 of the latch 14 and the shaft 17 of the pawl 16 pierce
the case 12 and project forward. The forwardly projected ends of
the shafts 15 and 17 are respectively equipped with a rotating
plate 19 and an open lever 20. Thus, the latch 14 and the rotating
plate 19 rotate together, and the pawl 16 and the open lever 20
rotate together.
As is seen from FIG. 4, the rotating plate 19 is formed with an arm
portion 19b, a first cam surface 21 and a second cam surface 22.
The arm portion 19b has at its leading end an engaging portion
19a.
The first cam surface 21 is so shaped and arranged as to keep the
half-latch detecting switch "SW3" (microswitch) "on" during the
time for which the latch 14 is being pivoted from the half-latch
position to the full-latch position. The pivoting movement of the
latch 14 is caused by the striker 13 on the door 2 under closing
movement of the door 2.
The second cam surface 22 is so shaped and arranged as to operate a
full-latch detecting switch "SW4" (microswitch) "on" when the latch
14 comes to the full-latch position.
As is seen from FIG. 4, the open lever 20 is formed with an arm
portion 20a and a cam surface 23.
The cam surface 23 is so shaped and arranged as to operate a latch
cancelling detecting switch "SW5" "on" when the pawl 16 is turned
to a position where the pivoting movement of the latch 14 is not
blocked.
As is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, to a front portion of the full
closing lock device "A", there is connected a supporting plate 24
on which an electric actuator 25 is mounted.
The electric actuator 25 comprises a reversable electric motor 26
which is positioned below the supporting plate 24, a circular
rotating plate 29 which is pivotally connected through a horizontal
shaft 28 to a middle portion of the supporting plate 24 and
operatively engaged with the motor 26 through a speed reduction
gear 27 and a sectoral output member 30 which is secured to a
peripheral portion of the rotating plate 29.
Designated by numeral 31 is a bearing plate which has both ends
connected to inboard face of the supporting plate 24. The bearing
plate 31 has a middle portion which bears one end of the shaft
28.
The rotating plate 29 is formed at its lower half peripheral
portion with a plurality of teeth 29a to which a pinion 35
supported on the supporting plate 24 is operatively engaged. Due to
normal or reversed rotation of the pinion 35, the rotating plate 29
is turned by about 90 degrees from its neutral angular position as
shown in FIG. 3 in clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
The pinion 35 is connected to an output shaft 34 of the speed
reduction gear 27, so that the pinion 35 is driven by the electric
motor 26.
At an upper peripheral edge of the rotating plate 29, there is
formed a recess 36. When the rotating plate 26 is in the neutral
position, a sensor arm (no numeral) of a neutral position detecting
switch "SW6" (microswitch) is placed at the recess 36, as shown in
FIG. 3, thereby sensing the rotating plate 29 being in the neutral
position.
The shaft 28 carries thereon, at the position between the rotating
plate 29 and the bearing plate 31, two pivotal arms 37 and 38. To
respective leading ends of these arms 37 and 38, there are
connected respective rods 39 and 40.
When the rotating plate 29 is rotated from the neutral position in
a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3, an end of the output member
30 is brought into engagement with an engaging portion 37a formed
on the arm 37 thereby to turn the arm 37 in the same direction and
thus pull the rod 39 toward the rotating plate 29. While, when the
rotating plate 29 is rotated from the neutral position in a
clockwise direction in FIG. 3, the other end of the output member
30 is brought into engagement with an engaging portion 38a formed
on the other arm 38 thereby to turn the arm 38 in the same
direction and thus pull the rod 40 toward the rotating plate
29.
The arm 38 has an enlarged portion 38b integral thereto. The
enlarged portion 38b is formed with two parallel arcuate slots 52
and 53 which are coaxial with the shaft 28.
To the slot 52, there is slidably engaged a slider 54 which is
connected to the afore-mentioned inside handle 4 through a cable 57
which is received in a guide tube 56.
To the other slot 53, there is slidably engaged an extra slider 55
which is adapted to connect with an extra actuator device (not
shown).
To an outboard surface of the case 12, there is secured a side
plate 41. As is seen in FIG. 3, a generally L-shaped link 42 is
pivotally connected to an upper portion of the side plate 41
through a shaft 43.
To a lower end of the link 42, there is pivotally connected the
afore-mentioned rod 39. The link 42 is formed at its upper portion
with an engaging portion 42a which is operatively engageable with
the engaging portion 19a of the afore-mentioned rotating plate 19.
That is, upon the rod 39 being pulled toward the circular rotating
plate 29, the engaging portion 42a of the link 42 is brought into
engagement with the engaging portion 19a of the rotating plate 19
and pushes down the same. With this, the latch 14 is forcedly
pivoted from the half-latch position to the full-latch
position.
Designated by numeral 44 is a spring for returning the link 42, and
designated by numeral 45 is a stopper for holding the link 42 at a
position remote from the traveling path of the rotating plate 19.
The stopper 45 is provided by bending an upper end portion of the
side plate 41.
Thus, the electric motor 26, the circular rotating plate 29, the
output member 30, the arm 37, the rod 39 and the link 42 constitute
the "latch driving device (B-2)" which forcedly drives the latch 14
from the half-latch position to the full-latch position.
As is shown in FIG. 3, to a lower portion of the side plate 41,
there is pivotally connected another link 47 through a shaft 48.
The link 47 has an upwardly extending arm portion 47a and a
rightwardly extending arm portion 47b, and thus the link 47 is
L-shaped.
To the upper end of the arm portion 47a, there is pivotally
connected the afore-mentioned rod 40, and to the leading end of the
other arm portion 47b there is pivotally connected a lower end of a
push rod 49 through a shaft 50.
An upper part of the push rod 49 is slidably held by a suitable
guide member (not shown), so that the push rod 49 is movable upward
and downward along a given way. The push rod 49 has an upper end
engageable with the arm portion 20a of the open lever 20.
Thus, upon the rod 40 being pulled toward the circular rotating
plate 29, the link 47 is turned in a counterclokwise direction in
FIG. 3 thereby pushing the push rod 49 upward. With this, the upper
end of the push rod 49 pushes the arm portion 20a of the open lever
20 upward, so that the afore-mentioned pawl 16 is pivoted to its
disengaging position, that is, the position wherein the pawl 16
releases the latch 14.
Designated by numeral 51 is a spring for returning the link 47.
Thus, the electric motor 26, the circular rotating plate 29, the
output member 30, the arm 38, the rod 40, the link 47 and the push
rod 49 constitute the "full closing lock cancelling device (B-1)"
which turns the pawl 16 to its disengaging position.
The door driving device "C" comprises a supporting plate 60
securedly mounted in a front part of the door 2, a reversable
electric motor 61 held by the supporting plate 60, a pinion 62
pivotally connected to the supporting plate 60 and driven by the
motor 61 through a suitable speed reduction gear, a sector gear 64
and a horizontal push rod 69. The sector gear 64 has a front
portion pivotally connected through a shaft 63 to a front upper
part of the supporting plate 60 and an arcuate rear portion formed
with teeth 64a. The teeth 64a extend along a part of a circle which
has a center at the shaft 63. The teeth 64a are meshed with the
pinion 62, so that upon normal or reversed rotation of the pinion
62, the sector gear 64 is pivoted about the shaft 63 between two
positions which are defined by two spaced stoppers 65 and 66 formed
on the supporting plate 60. The push rod 69 has a front portion
piercing a front end wall of the door 2. The projected front end of
the push rod is pivotally connected through a vertical shaft 67 to
the vehicle body 1 at a position near one of hinges (not shown).
The push rod 69 is formed at its rear portion with an elongate
opening 68 into which a push piece 64b formed on the sector gear 64
is projected.
The push rod 69 is held by a holding device 70 mounted at the front
end wall of the door 2. The holding device 70 comprises upper and
lower press bodies 71 and 72 by which the push rod 69 is slidably
sandwiched. Beside the major function of the push rod 69 as will be
described hereinafter, the combination of the push rod 69 and the
holding device 70 serves as a so-called "check device" which
produce a suitable resistance against the opening and closing
movement of the door 2.
Designated by numeral 73 is a cover which covers meshed portions
between the pinion 62 and the sector gear 64. Designated by
reference "SW7" is an inoperative position detecting switch for the
sector gear 64, which becomes "on" when the sector gear 64 assumes
its inoperative position with its lower part contacting the stopper
66. That is, under this condition, a front edge of a projection 64c
formed on a lower middle part of the sector gear 64 is in contact
with a sensor arm of the switch "SW7" causing the "on" condition of
the switch. Designated by reference "SW8" is an operative position
detecting switch which becomes "on" when the sector gear 64 assumes
its operative position with its upper part contacting the stopper
65. That is, under this condition, a lower edge of the projection
64c is in contact with a sensor arm of the switch "SW8".
The door 2 has at a suitable portion thereof a door opening degree
detecting switch "SW9" which becomes "on" when the door 2 is placed
within an angular zone ranging from its fully closed position to a
position which is somewhat outer as compared with the
above-mentioned half-open position of the door 2. Under the "on"
condition of the switch "SW9", a sensor arm of the switch is in
contact with the vehicle body 1.
Thus, in the door driving device "C" as described hereinabove,
when, due to "on" operation of the latch cancelling detecting
switch "SW5", a latch cancelling of the full closing lock device
"A" is detected, the motor 61 is operated causing the sector gear
64 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1. With this,
the push piece 64b is brought into contact with the front end of
the elongate opening 68 causing the push rod 69 to project
outwardly from the door 2. Thus, the door 2 is forced to pivot from
the fully closed position to the half-open position with respect to
the vehicle body 1.
When the door 2 reaches the half-open position, the same is
restrained by the half opening lock device "D". When, the door 2 is
further opened but slightly from the half-open position cancelling
the restraining by the device "D", the door opening degree
detecting switch "SW9" becomes inoperative thereby causing the
motor to rotate in a reversed direction. Thus, the sector gear 64
is returned from the operative position to the inoperative
position.
Accordingly, while the door 2 is kept at the half-open position,
the sector gear 64 is kept at the operative position suppressing
the push rod 69 from penetrating into the door 2. Thus, under this
condition, the door 2 is not pivoted to the fully closed position.
That is, it never occurs that, upon cancelling of the locked
condition of the half opening lock device "D", the door 2 is closed
suddenly. This is very advantageous because the possibility of
injuring an operator's hand by accidentally putting the same
between the door 2 and the vehicle body 1 becomes low.
Once the sector gear 64 has returned to the inoperative position,
the opening and closing movement of the door 2 induces only an
air-striking of the push piece 64b in the elongate opening 68, so
that the movement of the door 2 is not interrupted by the half
opening lock device "D".
As is seen from FIGS. 1, 8 and 9, the half opening lock device "D"
comprises a case 81 which is secured to a lower end portion of the
door 2 having its lower open side exposed to the outside. A
latching rod 82 is vertically slidably received in the case 81 with
its tapered lower end 82a projectable into the outside. For the
reason which will be clarified hereinafter, the tapered surface
(82a) of the latching rod 82 is formed at the side which faces the
interior of the vehicle body 1 when the door 2 is closed. A sliding
plate 8 is secured to the latching rod 82 to move therewith and
extends upward beyond the case 81. A spring 84 is received in the
case 81 and compressed between an upper wall 81a of the case 81 and
an upper end of the latching rod 82 thereby to bias the latching
rod 82 downward with respect to the case 81, that is, with respect
to the door 2. The sliding plate 83 has at a portion above the case
81 a holding bracket 83a secured thereto. A rubber piece 85 is
connected to the holding bracket 83a to constitute a stopper. That
is, during the downward movement of the sliding plate 83, the
stopper 85 is brought into abutment with the upper wall 81a of the
case 81 thereby to restrict the downward movement of the latching
rod 82. An engaging plate 87 is secured to a lower peripheral wall
of a door opening defined by the vehicle body 1. The engaging plate
87 has at a predetermined position an engaging bore 86 into which
the above-mentioned tapered lower end 82a of the latching rod 82 is
insertable when the door 2 comes to the half-open position.
The case 81 is formed at its outside wall with a vertically
extending slot 88 with which a projection 83b formed on the sliding
plate 83 is slidably engaged. Thus, the upward and downward
movement of the latching rod 82 and the sliding plate 83 is
smoothly guided.
As is seen from the drawings, the upper peripheral edges of the
engaging plate 87 are chamfered. An inboard upper edge of the
engaging bore 86 is somewhat tapered.
When, with the above-mentioned construction of the half opening
lock device "D", the door 2 is in the fully closed position, the
tapered lower end 82a of the latching rod 82 rides on the upper
flat surface of the engaging plate 87, in such a manner as is
illustrated in FIG. 8. When thereafter the door 2 is opened to the
half-open position, the latching rod 82 is thrusted into the
engaging bore 86 of the engaging plate 87 due to the force of the
spring 84, in such a manner as is illustrated in FIG. 9. Under this
condition, the opening movement of the door 2 is assuredly
suppressed. However, due to the slidable engagement between the
tapered surface 82a of the latching rod 82 and the tapered upper
edge of the engaging bore 86, further closing movement of the door
2 is permitted but with a slight resistance produced by them.
Due to operation of the half opening lock cancelling device "E"
which will be described in detail hereinafter, the latching rod 82
is raised against the force of the spring 84 to such a position
that the tapered lower end 82a of the rod 82 is disengaged from the
engaging bore 86. Under this condition, the door 2 can move or
pivot freely.
When the door 2 is pivoted from a largely open position to the
fully closed position, the following steps are taken by the half
opening lock device "D".
First, the tapered lower end 82a of the latching rod 82 is brought
into abutment with the chamfered outside edge of the engaging plate
87 and pushed upward by the same against the spring 84 to ride on
the engaging plate 87. Then, during the closing movement of the
door 2, the tapered lower end 82a falls into the engaging bore 86
and after sliding on the tapered upper edge of the bore 86, the
same is raised up onto the engaging plate 87 as is shown in FIG. 8.
It is to be noted that when the door 2 assumes the fully closed
position, the tapered lower end 82a of the latching rod 82 is kept
raised on the engaging plate 87.
The sliding plate 83 has at its upper end a connecting pin 89
secured thereto.
As will be seen from FIG. 1, the pin 89 is slidably received in an
elongate slot 91 which is defined by a turned-up lower portion of a
vertically extending rod 90.
An upper end of the rod 90 is pivotally connected to a lower end of
an obliquely extending rod 94 through a pivotal lever 93 which is
connected to the door 2 through a shaft 92. An upper end of the rod
94 is pivotally connected to a horizontally extending rod 97
through a pivotal lever 96 which is connected to the door 2 through
a shaft 95.
The pivotal lever 96 is formed with an arcuate slot 98 which is
concentric with the shaft 95. A pin 99 fixed to a front end of the
horizontally extending rod 97 is slidably engaged with the arcuate
slot 98, so that the obliquely extending rod 94 and the
horizontally extending rod 97 have a relative play
therebetween.
As is best shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a rear end of the horizontally
extending rod 97 is connected to a front end of an operation handle
102. The operation handle 102 is pivotally connected through a
vertically extending shaft 101 to a bracket 100 which is secured to
a rear end portion of the door 2.
The operation handle 102 has at its rear part a grip part 102a
which is projected outward from the rear end wall of the door 2. As
is understood from FIG. 10, when the door 2 is in the fully closed
position, the projected rear part of the operation handle 102 is
fully concealed by the door 2 and the vehicle body 1. While, as is
understood from FIG. 11, when the door 2 assumes the half-open
position or much larger open position, the grip part 102a is
exposed to the outside and thus manipulatable from the outside.
Designated by numeral 103 is a biasing spring which extends between
the bracket 100 and the front portion of the operation handle 102
to bias the operation handle 102 in a counterclockwise direction in
FIGS. 10 and 11.
Thus, the operation handle 102, the spring 103, and the rods 97, 94
and 90 constitute the half opening lock cancelling device "E".
When the operation handle 102 is pivoted in a clockwise direction
in FIG. 11, the same pulls the rods 97, 94 and 90 in relays and
thus pulls up the latching rod 82 from the engaging bore 86 of the
engaging plate 87. With this operation, the locked condition by the
half opening lock device "D" can be cancelled.
When the operation handle 102 is released from an operator's hand,
the handle 102 is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction in FIG.
11 by the force of the spring 103 returning the rods 97, 94 and 90
and the latching rod 82 to their original positions.
As is shown in FIG. 1, to the shaft 95 to which the pivotal lever
96 is pivotally connected, there is further connected a triangular
lever 104. One of the two lower apexes of the triangular lever 104
is connected to a part of the afore-mentioned inside handle 4
through a connecting rod 105.
To the other apex of the triangular lever 104, there is connected a
terminal end of the afore-mentioned 57 which is slidably received
in the guide tube 56.
The pivotal lever 96 has a downward extension 96a which has at its
left side a raised section 96b against which a front edge of the
triangular lever 104 abuts. Thus, when the triangular lever 104 is
pivoted in a clockwise direction in FIG. 1, the same pushes the
raised section 96b and thus pivots the pivotal lever 96 in the same
direction about the pivot shaft 95. During this clockwise pivoting
of the lever 96, the pin 99 on the end of the horizontally
extending rod 97 slides in the arcuate slot 98 of the lever 96
without inducing movement of the rod 97.
When the rod 97 is pulled rearward pivoting the pivotal lever 96 in
clockwise direction in FIG. 1, the raised section 96b of the lever
96 is separated from the front edge of he triangular lever 104.
Thus, the triangular lever 104 does not move.
Designated by reference "SW10" in FIG. 1 is a lock cancelling
switch which turns "on" when the inside handle 4 is turned, even
slightly, from the illustrated rest position about the shaft 106 in
a clockwise direction. Upon the switch "SW10" assuming "on"
condition, the full closing lock cancelling device "B-1" is
operated to cause cancelling of the locked condition of the full
closing lock device "A".
Accordingly, when, with the door 2 being fully closed, it is
intended to open the door 2 from the inside of the vehicle, the
inside handle 4 is manipulated. That is, under the fully closed
condition of the door 2, only a slight turning of the inside handle
4 is sufficient for turning the lock cancelling switch "SW10" "on"
irrespective as to whether the locking and unlocking control device
5 assumes the unlock condition or the lock condition. Upon the
switch "SW10" assuming the "on" condition, the locked condition of
the full closing lock device "A" is automatically cancelled and
then the door driving device "C" is operated causing the door 2 to
open to the half-open position.
When, under this condition, the inside handle 4 is further turned,
the movement of the inside handle is transmitted through the rod
105, the triangular lever 104, the pivotal lever 96, the rod 94,
the pivotal lever 93 and the rod 90 to the half opening lock device
"D" thereby to cancel the locked condition of the device "D".
Even when, due to for example malfunction of the motor 26, the full
closing lock cancelling device "B-1" fails to operate, the locked
condition of the full closing lock device "A" can be cancelled by
manual labor. That is, even under such condition, the turning of
the inside handle 4 induces a clockwise pivoting of the triangular
lever 104 (as viewed in FIG. 1), so that the cable 57 is pulled
toward the triangular lever 104 turning the arm 38 in a clockwise
direction. With this, the locked condition of the full closing lock
device "A" can be cancelled. This is a so-called "fail-safe"
function.
FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram for controlling the electric parts
employed in the door control device of the invention. As is shown,
the various switches are illustrated in the left part of the
circuit, and a latch cancelling relay 110 and a closure relay 111
which are incorporated with the electric motor 26 of the lock
cancelling and latch driving device "B" and a door half opening
relay 112 and a return relay 113 which are incorporated with the
other electric motor 61 of the door driving device "D" are
illustrated in the right part of the circuit. The parts are
connected through a logical circuit including "AND", "OR", "NAND"
and "NOR" circuits in a manner as shown in the drawing. Designated
by reference "T1" is a timer circuit, and denoted by references
"Al", "A2", "A3", "B", "C", "D" and "Z" are junction portions.
Operation, of the door control device of the invention will be
described with reference to the control circuit.
For ease of understanding, the description will be commenced with
respect to a condition wherein the door 2 is fully closed and the
locking and unlocking switch "SW2" is in "off" condition (viz.,
unlocking condition).
When, under this condition, the lock cancelling operation switch
"SW1" is pushed to turn "on", the latch cancelling relay 110 is
energized to apply the electric motor 26 with current in the
direction indicated by the arrow illustrated by a solid line. With
this, the full closing lock cancelling device "B-1" is operated and
thus the locked condition of the full closing lock device "A" is
cancelled.
With the cancellation of the device "A", the latch cancelling
detecting switch "SW5" becomes "on" causing deenergization of the
latch cancelling relay 110 and energization of the closure relay
111. Under this, the electric motor 26 is applied with current in
the direction indicated by the arrow illustrated by the broken line
causing the motor 26 to run in a reversed direction. Thus, the
rotating plate 29 is returned to its neutral position inducing "on"
condition of a neutral detecting switch "SW6". With this, the
closure relay 111 is deenergized and thus energization of the
electric motor 26 is stopped.
Upon the latch cancelling detecting switch "SW5" assuming "on"
position, the door half opening relay 112 becomes energized thereby
to apply the motor 61 with current in the direction indicated by
the arrow illustrated by the solid line. With this, the door
driving device "C" is operated and thus the door 2 is opened to the
half-open position.
Upon this, the half opening lock device "D" is operated to restrain
the door 2 at the half-open position.
When the sector gear 64 comes to the operative position, the
operative position detecting switch "SW8" becomes "on" causing
deenergization of the door half opening relay 112. Thus, the motor
61 stops.
When, by operating the half opening lock canceling device "E", the
locked condition of the half opening lock device "D" is cancelled
and thereafter the door 2 is somewhat opened further, the operation
of the door opening degree detecting switch "SW9" stops causing
energization of the return relay 113. With this, the motor 61 is
applied with current in the direction indicated by the arrow
illustrated by the broken line and thus the motor 61 runs in a
reversed direction. Thus, the sector gear 64 is returned to the
inoperative position.
Upon this, the inoperative position detecting switch "SW7" becomes
operative causing deenergization of the return relay 113. Thus, the
motor 61 stops.
Operation taken when the door 2 is being closed will be briefly
described in the following.
During the time for which the door 2 is manually pivoted from a
relatively large open position to the half-latch positon beyond the
half-open position, that is, to the position wherein the latch 14
of the full closing lock device "A" halfly catches the striker 13
of the door 2, the downwardly projected tapered lower end 82a of
the latching rod 82 is brought into abutment with the chamfered
outside edge of the engaging plate 87 and pushed upwardly by the
same against the spring 84 and thus forced to ride on the engaging
plate 87, and then the tapered lower end 82a falls into the
engaging bore 86 and after sliding on the tapered upper edge of eh
bore 86, the same is forced to ride on the engaging plate 87 again.
Operation of the door opening degree detecting switch "SW9" taken
during this movement has no effect on the motors 26 and 61.
When the door 2 comes to the half-latch position, the half latch
detecting switch "SW3" becomes "on" thereby applying through the
closure relay 111 the electric motor 26 with current in the
direction indicated by the arrow illustrated by the broken line in
the drawing. With this, the circular rotating plate 29 is rotated
in a clockwise direction in FIG. 1 causing the latch driving device
"B-2" to operate.
Due to operation of the device "B-2", the door 2 is forcedly closed
from the half-latch position to the fully closed position.
When the door 2 comes to the fully closed position and thus the
latch 14 comes to the full-latch position, the full-latch detecting
switch "SW4" becomes "on" causing deenergization of the closure
relay 111 and energization of the latch cancelling relay 110. With
this, the electric motor 26 is applied with current in the
direction indicated by the arrow illustrated by the solid line.
Thus, the circular rotating plate 29 is rotated in a
counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1 to its neutral position. Upon
this, the neutral position detecting switch "SW6" becomes "on", so
that the motor 26 is stopped and thus the door control. device
assumes its original position taken when the door 2 is fully
closed.
* * * * *